Even so, you don't want to try to get bitten. The best way to avoid bites, is to avoid giving your ball python a reason to bite you. Before choosing your ball python from the pet shop, you should handle it first to see if they are too aggressive. If you manage to get a ball python to bite you by provoking it you've really gone too far. Most balls are shy and reluctant to bite. Blood python-- These snakes are not for beginners, but they are generally safe to keep as pets. Most people sustain more injury from jerking away from the snake when struck (this is not good to do as you can pull teeth out of the snake's mouth or cause injury to its mouth) and bang or scrap an arm as it exits the tank. Thus, they highly depend on their sense of smell together with their sensing pits. You should also disinfect the wound to prevent bacteria infection, and ensure that your ball python is okay. However, it would help if you were careful not to let the snake too close to your eyes. Don’t pick your ball python until it adjusts to its new environment. It is because they are not large enough to constrict humans. 5 years ago. she doesn't attempt to bite anyone but my sister. However, being wild animals, it is natural for them to bite you. Instead, you should look for the underlying cause of the stress and deal with it immediately. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. However, a hungry bite can be quite hurting, especially if you try to yank the ball python away. Even though they have sharp teeth, they don’t have strong jaws to break your skin excessively. But they are not large enough to constrict an adult human. Ball python’s teeth face backward to help them latch on the prey. Most of the issue with ball python bites is the initial “shock” or being startled by the fast movement. The worst I've had was a rabbit bite. Yes, it hurts! She is about a year or two old and as friendly as possible. There are a few guidelines you should follow in order to not hurt the snake. However, it’s natural for beginners to get a little scared of ball pythons. Again, it would be wise not to let children handle snakes without supervision to prevent accidents. But, it’s typically unlikely for a ball python to bite without reason. Ball Pythons only bite when they are shedding, defense, or feeding Their bite I have heard hurts a little if at all Ball Pythons are very docile and social The only thing people dont like about them is they claim to be finicky eaters which isnt true with my snake. A ball python cannot kill you but it can hurt you with its bite. It seems to me there are two (or more) “types” of bites a ball python will give. So you never know. But the bigger the snake - the bigger the teeth. However, a ball python can coil around a baby’s neck and constrict it. However, they can still do it if they mistake your hand for food. However, it depends on the type of bite that your snake gives. Reasons for Ball Python Bites. Ball Python Body Language: A Detailed Guide With Pictures. A hungry bite is quite painful as the ball python is more likely to latch on your finger and coil around your arm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But, if your ball python ever bites you, you should always remember to stay calm, gently remove the snake, and then wash the bitten area with soap and water. They can deliver a nasty bite, like any other python, but they do not grow large enough to be dangerous to humans. Pro tip: Taming & Handling your Ball Python the Right Way, ball pythons are beginner-friendly snake pets, non-venomous snakes, they only have teeth. Ball python’s bites do not require anti-venom to treat. Ball python teeth are extremely sharp, so a bite will frequently bleed freely--for the same reason, however, it just doesn't hurt very much. Bites from a young snake aren't going to hurt much. However, even before your ball python will strike a bite, it might have given you some warning signs which you didn’t notice. Thus, they are not dangerous. Even so, the shock of being bitten by a snake can be tremendous, especially if it’s your first time. An adult ball python bite will hurt a little more, nothing worse than a dog or cat bite. Be sure to wash your hands before you handle the snake so you don't carry an enticing scent of some kind to it. But what do you think it would be compared to any of these? Thus, we came up with this article to help you understand if ball pythons are dangerous. I expect that being tagged by an adult would be a different story, but even with 41 ball pythons in my collection, I have managed to avoid that so far. If you manage to get a ball python to bite you by provoking it you've really gone too far. Venomous snakes use fangs to inject venom into their prey. As a baby, a bite does not hurt. However, it is nonvenomous and the unlikely bites will be more like a cat’s scratch than an actual bite. Can't they take the heat? Therefore, you should not be afraid to handle ball pythons even if you are a first-time snake pet owner. An adult ball can get to 5-6 ft. though 4-4/12 ft. is more common. Ball python teeth are extremely sharp, so a bite will frequently bleed freely--for the same reason, however, it just doesn't hurt very much. And, even this is uncommon. ? If youre having difficulty getting a ball pytho… Keep reading to understand if ball python’s bite is painful. I'm only 14 and kinda a baby when it comes to pain so will actually being bitten hurt a lot more then the warning strike or is it not to bad? Most of the time, ball pythons bite defensively. This one will become painful, the longer the snake is bitten in and just remaining so. Only about six people every year die from complications resulting from a venomous snake bite. No, ball pythons are not dangerous. Hunger All snakes have teeth designed for holding onto prey. Ball pythons have many very sharp teeth, like barbs. They are not snakes that will readily bite in defense. Abig one might hurt a little, but not much. You will probably get bit a few times over the course of the snakes life,as with any animal, even dogs will bite if startled. Not really. A hungry bite is probably the most painful bite from a ball python. Just wash and sterilize the area to kill any bacteria. However, as for other larger pet pythons such as Burmese, they can swallow small cats and dogs. It will let go as soon as it realizes it made a mistake--holding still expedites this, as it's hard for a snake to release something that is moving (its instincts direct it to hold on until prey is dead, so it won't be injured). The ones that DO bite, seem to bite quite often. Ball pythons can bite you for defensive purposes, stressed, or they are starving. For instance, a defensive bite is very shallow and painless. Some have said it is surprising. ", http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/. WHAT DO I DO? Ball pythons are reluctant to bite tough, if you are asking because you want to get one, a frigthened ball python will first curl into a tight ball before it bites you; or stay in 'strike' (a tight S shape with their necks) for a few minutes before making up its resolve to bite you. Beginner snake pet owners must know what danger their pets might pose to them. Many people tend to get "hard little bumps" in the shape of the ball's mouth which become itchy or a bit inflamed as the bite heals. It is because ball pythons are non-venomous and are not even large enough to constrict humans. However, they rarely ever attack humans. But, if you stay calm and let the python let go on its own, even the hungry bite might be shallow and less painful. And I think the worst is rodent bite, although I haven't been mauled by a dog. He just hangs there, forcing you to stare at him and wonder why he's doing it. The bites are nothing that will need emergency attention. It always looks 20x worse than it feels. Get your answers by asking now. The bite of a ball python should really not hurt very much, although it can of course cause bleeding if it pierces through the skin. I have been bit by small ones and large ones, and it does not hurt much. They are not snakes that will readily bite in defense. You can sign in to vote the answer. Flu shots likely hurt more. A Japanese Zen Backyard is a backyard that utilities simplicity and a variety of theories of ‘cause and effect‘, used to improve rest and tranquility. A lot. An snake do suffocate the own owner. The ball python’s bite does not hurt. Ball pythons have four rows of teeth on their top jaw and two rows on the bottom jaw. Instead, it is more likely for cats and dogs to harm a ball python. However, a hungry bite can be quite hurting, especially if you try to yank the ball python away. But - it does happen on occasion. So yes, a bite from an adult can hurt a bit, but it's not as bad as a fresh paper cut and lemon juice. Yes, ball pythons do bite. Why do 'people' like Dianne like to trash questions if they're made to look like Cnuts? If handled gently and they have been tamed, you’re less likely to be bitten. Handle your ball python regularly to help it get accustomed to handling. However, it depends on the type of bite that your snake gives. Ball Python Bite 101: Causes, Treatment & Do They Hurt. My female spinner ball python decided it was hungry and rather then waiting for feeding day tomorrow it just decided it would eat my finger instead The bite from my ball python was nothing compared to the rodents and small mammals. It only takes 70 milliseconds for a ball python to attack from a coiled position by 0.5feet. Therefore, defensive bites can only feel like a few pinpricks. The ball python’s bite does not hurt. As for the non-venomous snakes, they only have teeth. An adult ball can get to 5-6 ft. though 4-4/12 ft. is more common. Yes, ball pythons can bite. Still have questions? It is because ball pythons are non-venomous, and thus, their bite is not poisonous. As long as you use tongs for feeding, this type of bite is very rare from a ball python. A larger or an adult ball python can break the skin and cause a small amount of bleeding. Additionally, backward teeth help the ball python digest their food once they kill their prey through constriction. https://happyserpent.com/snake-information/ball-python-bite Only venomous snakes have fangs. Doesn’t hurt, might leave a mark, probably wont bleed and the snake goes immediately back to exhibiting docile behavior. That can hurt a bit more, due to the increased pressure from the snake's coils. 0 0. margarett. I'm pretty sure getting bitten by anything is going to hurt just be sure to ask about infection from a vet or whoever you are buying it from just in case. Be careful when disengaging its mouth that you do not injure the snake or pull out teeth. Under these circumstances, the ball python will typically bite a finger, hold it firm, then constrict on the finger. It depends on the size of your python. They dont really hurt. Snake pet lovers prefer ball pythons over most other snakes due to their non-temperamental nature. Hello, my name is William N. I am the owner of this website.Welcome to uniquepetswiki.comI hope the website is useful to you. (2) A baby might be unable to simply remove the snake from its neck, as an older child or an adult would do. … No, ball pythons are not dangerous to humans. It is very quick, so may startle you. Usually, ball pythons are not known for biting and are quite calm. Again, ball pythons only kill their prey by constricting. Still have the scar. How do you think about the answers? The bite from my ball python was nothing compared to the rodents and small mammals. That being said, venomous snake bites hurt a lot more. Ball python bites aren’t dangerous, venomous, or painful. For instance, a defensive bite is very shallow and painless. Don’t over handle your ball python as it can cause it stress. Yes ball pythons do bite. I expect that being tagged by an adult would be a different story, but even with 41 ball pythons in my collection, I have managed to avoid that so far.